2026 Robert Benjamin Excellence in Direct Instruction Reading Award Winner

Congratulations to Tamika Mickles, Pre-K Teacher at Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) school Frederick Elementary, on being named the 2026 Robert Benjamin Excellence in Direct Instruction Reading Award winner for the 2025–2026 school year.

This annual award, presented by BCP, recognizes outstanding Direct Instruction (DI) reading teachers who demonstrate exceptional commitment to student achievement and literacy growth. The award was created and funded by the late Bob Benjamin, a devoted BCP Board member who championed the power of DI, the research-backed reading program used across BCP’s network of neighborhood conversion charter schools. 

In 1996, BCP pioneered the use of DI within Baltimore City Public Schools. BCP is a national leader in DI; in 2025, BCP was awarded the inaugural Silver Star Award, given by the National Institute for Direct Instruction for BCP’s fidelity to and success with DI.

The Robert Benjamin Excellence in Direct Instruction Reading Award includes a cash prize and celebrates educators who maximize the potential of DI to help students become confident, successful readers. An accomplished journalist and editor, Benjamin spent years researching effective reading and school improvement models. His work highlighted Zig Engelmann, DI’s founder, and the impact of DI methods on student learning. Read more about Bob’s impact on BCP here.

About Ms. Mickels

This school year, as in previous years, Ms. Mickles demonstrated outstanding results in literacy instruction through strong implementation of DI strategies, student engagement, and measurable academic growth. 

Her students always end the year at mastery in reading, and her faster moving groups always end up in the story books of Reading Mastery K. Her class showed impressive growth on the MAP from beginning-of-year to end-of-year tests, though national comparisons aren’t available because most Pre-K students don’t take this test. Their average end of year scores compared favorably to many Kindergarten end-of-year scores, demonstrating they will come into Kindergarten ready to thrive. 

Ms. Mickles’ classroom is a kind, supportive, and fun environment, thanks to her leadership and the outstanding expertise of the PreK para-educators, Ms. Cato and Ms. Bowman. 

Thank you, Ms. Mickles, for your dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to helping students succeed!

Past Award Winners:

2025: Juwariyah Saboor, 1st Grade Teacher, Pimlico Elementary/Middle and Brianna Spady, 4th/6th Grade Teacher, Wolfe Street Academy

2024: Jacqueline Clary Thomas, 1st Grade Teacher, Hampstead Hill Academy

2023: Christa Kinsey, 3rd Grade Teacher, City Springs 

Read more about BCP’s numerous regional and national awards in the BCP Impact Report.